We're All Even; Till We're Not

[DOUGHBOYS]

We are all even.
It's all we ask.
When we're sitting at the draft table, it makes no difference if we are pick number 1, 8 or 15.
We are secure in the fact that we are all even. It doesn't even matter if Shandler, Jupinka, or Bill James is sitting at the table, we're even.
We're even because EVERY drafting method is flawed. If we had found the secret formula in past drafts or years, it is guaranteed that it won't work this year.
Pitcher dominated, hitter dominated, 75/75, positional preferential, no Closers, three Closers....
A planned out first 10 rounds or a flow of the draft type guy can both win.
They all work...
And, they all DON'T work.

We have two drafts going on.
In each of the two drafts is one of the best players in fantasy baseball, Rick Thomas.
Rick is a grinder. He knows the draft is important, but he uses the draft as a stepping stone for in season Management.
He knows what he wants out of each draft and depends on his managing skills to carry him to the cash.
I respect the style.

Rick is a little bit of a Maverick in drafting. He can afford to be, because his in-season skills can cover players that don't live up to expectations.
In the first draft, a 30 round affair with faab, this is Rick's breakdown by position after 12 rounds.
1B- 1
OF- 7
SP- 4

This may seem crazy or outlandish to some. But, Rick has factored in some things that others may not look at in a draft this early in the off season.
First, any Closer may not be closing next year. Half will have lost their jobs.
Injuries beset more.
The Closers left standing on team's rosters are indeed lucky for their owners, because that first week of faab is EXPENSIVE.
Some drafters will pick up token help (Rick picked Marmol in the 18th round), and some, as one drafter did, will take three Closers in the first 10 rounds, hoping for better odds vs. attrition.
Rick is relying on the Bam from his outfielders to overcompensate for lesser infielders. I've tried this tactic in some drafts as well and have been happy with the results. Sometimes the 'positional pickers' will bang heads, leaving a treasure trove of goodies from the outfield.

You may think it unwise of Rick to draft seven outfielders when playing only a maximum of six. In his reckoning, he has covered some bases when it comes to injury and he can also sit the cold hitting outfielder as part of in-season Management.
Some could not do what Rick did in this draft. The more traditional drafters would balk at not having their asses covered in several positions by the 13th round.
Rick knows it will all even out. His outfield advantage is made to cover the weaker spots in the infield, while also knowing that the 2013 versions of Rutledge, Frasier, Rizzo, and others will be ripe for the picking when faab time comes.

To show off Rick's versatility in drafting, we also have a 50 round draft that is underway.
We are only through the first three rounds of picks.
You're guessing three outfielders, right?
Guess again, Bucko!
His first three picks are Strasburg, Dickey, and Price.
Three four-category pitchers who should give Rick a lead in 80 per cent of the pitching numbers.
I've used and seen this approach work.
It is ballsy in knowing that any single digit finish of the top 15 in rbi would be hard to obtain.
And also, depending on how Rick structures his offense, home runs and average could be hard to come back from as well.
In this draft, Rick is not as dependent on in season skills since there is no faab.
In this draft, he feels his pulse of the later rounds can help him overcome some areas that lack offensively from the first few rounds.

Rick knows that we are all equal at the draft table. He also realizes his strengths are the patience and ballsy approach to his drafts.
Once a name is picked, we cease being even.
And, it remains that way till the end of the year.
Rick has learned to play to his strengths. No matter how we may feel or think to ourselves that it would not be the style for us, for Rick, it takes the 'eveness' out of the game and puts the odds in his favor.
And in a way, no matter how we draft, that, is the objective for all of us.